So what can the Suspects do?

See2

See2

Joined
Dec 5, 2000
Messages
1,361
OK, gentlemen. I've read enough posts in this damn forum about how someone got bit by an Emerson, or the blade finish sucked, liners rubbed, yadda yadda yadda. I haven't had a problem. I haven't seen mention of any other Suspect having problems. BUT, the fact remains that there are people out there having them. We all know and acknowledge that QC is an issue at EKI. What's the problem? Is Ernie too busy? Does he need to hire new help? Does he just not care? (I find THAT hard to believe, but it had to be said). I would hate to see the name of a knife maker I respect dragged through the mud over little issues like this. From what I've seen in my time here, Derek, Ernie and Mary check in to see what we're up to/thinking. So, since that's the case and they seem to take what we say to heart (or at least consider it), what do the rest of you Suspects think we can do to help fix this problem before Ernie's name gets tarnished?

Chris
 
Chris

What can be done is that if a customer has a problem with a knife, simply contact EKI and have the problem resolved. No companies products are 100%.

That having been said, I feel you hit the nail squarely on the head:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I haven't had a problem. I haven't seen mention of any other Suspect having problems.</font>
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Have you noticed that the regulars around here seem to buy an awful lot of EKI knives? But the occurrence of problems have been very few and far between. All of a sudden there have been multiple postings of problems. Hmmmm
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This is not a new occurrence. It occurs on all the forums. Link

Are there occasional problems. Sure.

Are some of the complaints valid. Yeh, of course some are.

But it would be interesting how many of these "problem knives" go back to be looked at.
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What can we do? Weather the storm and wait for the gaggle to go after Rekat or Spyderco or CRK or . . . . .

Just my opinion and experience

John
 
Ditto John. Its funny, I worked a show with Derek where I handled something like 50 Emerson knives (new) over a couple days-not one problem. I have numerous Emerson knives with no real problems. The Commander I carry daily has a funny rattle to it. I advised Derek and EKI, and they offered me a new knife, no questions asked-I didn't take it because I like the older style, but the key is it was a no questions asked offer. I have about 40 guys at my P.D. and 10 at our Fire Department all carrying Emersons-not a single complaint from some pretty hard use users. I figure that if somebody has a problem with their knife, send it back and let the factory evaluate it. Don't just pop in on this forum, complain, and not do something about it. Derek is now at the factory, and Ernie is very proud of his product-send the problem in so they can physically examine the knife and address the problem.

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He who advances is sure of heaven-He who retreats of eternal damnation.
 
OK, just my own contribution here !

At the moment I own somewhere in the region of 35+ knives, mainly Emerson's and both custom and production. I use my knives, and use them HARD (notice I say use, and not abuse).

In all the time I have been using them, I have not had any problems with them and if I did, I'm sure a call to Emerson would get the problem resolved. That's what I carry only Emerson knives. I know the knives work, and if there was a problem, the solution is only a phone call, or E-Mail away.

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I did have a problem with my 2000 Commander... However I contacted Emerson and they had me send it back and it was replaced without any questions as quickly as possible with no extra cost to me... What more could a person hope for? EKI not only puts out a quality product but they also stand behind it with some of the best customer service out there...
 
I'm glad you guys are around.
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Read some of those posts, and felt like trying to defend Ernie and his product. It's kinda depressing to see basically "the hell with Emerson, go buy a -insert knifemaker here-. They're MUCH better". LOL I feel like I'm in a schoolyard going "Your dad sucks!" "Oh YEAH?! Well, your dad sucks MORE!"

I feel and continue to feel that Emerson is as advertised. Granted, I'm not playing Rambo with my SOCFK or Commander (one or the other just sits quietly in my pocket most days, unless I want to show someone the SOCFK, the wave, or just open and close the thing), but I know if I ever NEED to use 'em, they'll work for me.

Thanks for the backup, guys! Makes me feel better (and proud, dammit!) to know we're all there for one another.

Chris
 
I wish it wasn't true, but for the same price range there are a number of folders that flat out surpass the Emersons in construction quality.

No one can seriously tell me their Commander is of the same level of fit and finish as a LCC (cheaper price) let alone a SOCOM Elite (a tad more). I've had all three, and both Commanders were of lower quality than any Benchmade (10) I've owned, with the exception of one. It doesn't take a "knife" expert to tell what's quality and what isn't as far as fit and finish is concerned. Bad grind lines, G10 scales that don't match, flimsy liners, black screws that fade all point to a shoddy product in my book....especially when one or all show up on every example I've seen. And I've handled quite a few Emersons at Gun & Knife shows. Maybe I'm a jinx when it comes to these knives. Regardless, a $150 knife should have none of the mentioned defects.

I wish the Commander (and other Emerson Production knives) was built better and if enough people complain that just might happen. I don't think a high quality Commander should cost the $400+ that the custom production units will run....if they ever get made.

jc
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jc:
No one can seriously tell me their Commander is of the same level of fit and finish as a LCC (cheaper price) let alone a SOCOM Elite (a tad more). </font>
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I say that pointing to something that's wrong is a good thing, how would a certain manufacturer otherwise know about the problem?

But, going on and on about "that knife costs as much as a commander" and "don't tell me that the quality is equal" sucks, if you don't feel it's right to charge what Emerson is charging then beam off and leave us alone to enjoy our knives!

Don't like, don't buy, simple as 1-2-3...

Off eating Swedish meatballs...



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Be well!/Jonas aka 2Sharp

"May all your detonations be expected"

The coolest bar in the world: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/8373/index.html
My knives!
 
Hmmm,...I have 5 production Emersons and the only problem I've had with any of them is faded scale-screws on my 2000 Commander. What did I do about this problem? E-mailed EKI and received a full set of replacement screws within 2 days. That's fast enough service for me to remain a loyal Emerson customer.
JC, are you trying to tell us that MicroTech doesn't have QC problems?? HA! Go over to www.microholics.com and check their forum. Those guys are die-hard MicroTech fans BUT you'll see an awful lot of QC horror stories there as well. Let's see; $370 Halos that don't fire, $500 Nemesis that don't lock up, DA LCC's that are too tight to fire or accidentally dry-fire. And guess what? Since MicroTech's price increase, the LCC isn't necessarily less expensive than a Commander. I happen to like MicroTech knives alot, and I tend to doubt the legitimacy of every single person who screams "quality control problems!", but my point here is that most knife manufacturers have QC issues from time to time, and I don't have a problem with that as long as they take care of their customers. What I have a problem with are the W.I.G.s (Whiners In General) who always feel the need to jump on the complaint bandwagon. How are other Usual Suspects supposed to take these guys seriously if they just sit around here and complain RATHER than e-mail or call EKI? Are they merely seeking attention from others? Are they in need of a hug? I don't get it. If one purchases a product and said product is defective yet this person is not man (or woman)enough to take this up with the manufacturer his/herself, then said person has nothing coming.

[This message has been edited by Eric Blair (edited 02-11-2001).]
 
Hmmm...the ONLY liner lock knife I've owned that FAILED was a MicroTech SOCOM. The liner wouldn't stay on the back of the blade under even the most minimal usage. And I paid a lot for that particular knife. I'm sure Microtech would have fixed/replaced it free of charge (just like EKI does)...

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Usual Suspect

RFrost5746@excite.com -- My Collection
 
2Sharp, the truth hurts sometimes. The MT was just a bad example (as we all know, they are the hight of LOW quality). I should have asked the question, but inserted Benchmade knives instead........would have been a closer match in quality after all.

Comparisons to other knives in the price range is just another way of evaluating quality.

MT has QC problems as well, but the MT owner DEMANDs perfection and any small defect should get attention. I, myself, sent a CTII back to MT that had a small defect in the black coating and it's been seven months......yes I'm pissed. But reality is reality, the Microtech is a superior product and I have 16 others that are flawless. In fact, it might be fun to start a thread asking owners of both which is better quality.

Defend the Emerson quality all you like, but ask yourself "why did they switch to thinner liners"? To make a lighter knife, right? let us see, thinner liners produce a safer lock up. Thinner liners actually enhance overall knife strength. Or, my favorite, thinner liners are all the rage in Tactical knife fashion these days.

jc

[This message has been edited by jc (edited 02-11-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jc:
Defend the Emerson quality all you like, but ask yourself "why did they switch to thinner liners"? To make a lighter knife, right? [This message has been edited by jc (edited 02-11-2001).]</font>
Click to expand...

I'm not saying that it's wrong to point out things that one thinks has gotten less good.
It's the piss and moan thing that makes me mad 'nuff said.



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Be well!/Jonas aka 2Sharp

"May all your detonations be expected"

The coolest bar in the world: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/8373/index.html
My knives!
 
It's not pissing and moaning........it's called trying to have Emerson produce a better quality knife.

I shouldn't have to go through a bunch of specimens (as some have suggested) in order to get a good one........that's insane!

As far as MT is concerned (yes, to defend them) they are producing knives that are just a tad bit more complicated than a Emerson. Have you ever held a CTII, Nemesis or HALOIII? MT is working with tolerances way beyond what Emerson works with. Hence, the much higher fit and finish. Also, MT is pretty quick about resolving production problems. They ususally don't keep turning out knives with the same defects over and over again.

I do buy other knives........a lot of them. I still want a Commander, but not the one that is being put out at the moment. I'm spoiled by better quality....shame on me.

It really doesn't matter if Emerson improves his knives to me, I won't carry one for obvious reasons. It should matter greatly to those of you who rely on them......wouldn't you like to see perfection (or just a little bit closer to) when you handle your Emerson? STOP making excuses for low quality!

jc

 
Ok I'm sitting here going over the 15 production Emersons I've got and so far the Only thing I can find that's wrong are the faded clip screws on some of the knives I've carried.My SOCFK,which I carry daily,is opened and closed at least 30 times a day.
Hey I like playing with it
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and yes the screws are faded,not much different than my Combat Commander and its holster wear.
EKI is still relatively new to the market,so there's bound to be problems.I have a BM AFCK and if I even think of a spine whack test the blade will snap shut.
Just rambling is all

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JimBob
 


That having been said, I feel you hit the nail squarely on the head:


quote:
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I haven't had a problem. I haven't seen mention of any other Suspect having problems.

John, I guess I could consider myself a Suspect, and I have had these problems, especially on the Commanders, which is why I don't own any anymore. Now all I have are CQC7's and SOCFK's, but they are not flawless either. I had a blade tip break on a week old CQC7B while removing a staple out of some papers at work. EKI fixed the knife quickly, but didn't replace the blade on a week old knife.

I have three six month old CQC7B's that the liners have worn so quickly that they are now all the way to the right of the blade. I won't use them now.

Just yesterday I did a spine wack test on my carry SOCFK, and it failed!! A little tweaking on the liner and it passes now, but come on!! On a $150 knife.......?

My Black-T spearpoint SOCFK rubbed it's liners when I first got it.

The OD green on the scales of my waved-7 is coming off giving it a splotchy appearance.

I am seriously considering looking at other brands[Spyderco] because I have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER had a bad one.
And the most I ever paid for one was $70!!! I can no longer justify $100 minimum for knives that don't meet MY expectations. I should tell you that I am an inspector by trade in the aerospace industry.

This is not an easy decision. I love EKI's designs, but until he pulls his head out and gets the QC problems fixed, I am not going to buy any more of his knives.
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Flame me if you will, but that is how I see EKI right know. They have the potential for dominating the industry, but their QC will hold them back. They make things even worse by advertising as the "..#1 Hard-Use Knives..."

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Brigadier
Beretta 92 FS nut and Wave-aholic
"And for this cause God shall send them stong delusion,that they should believe a lie;" 2 Thessalonians 2:11
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove[expose] them." Ephesians 5:11
 
Brigadier

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Flame me if you will, but that is how I see EKI right know.</font>
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Wouldn't do that!

Sorry to hear you've had problems, they seem to be disproportionate to most of the others that frequent here. Have you sent them in for service?

John
 
Originally posted by jc:

I still want a Commander, but not the one that is being put out at the moment...
It really doesn't matter if Emerson improves his knives to me, I won't carry one for obvious reasons.


I'm confused.
Do you want some cheese to go with that wine?
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To clarify,

I want a Commander DESIGN, not necessarily one made by Emerson Knives.

By the way, I got no cheeze with my wine as I rushed my ass to the ER room with my hand wrapped in blood drenched towel (three guesses as to what happened......flame all you want, but it could happen to YOU).

Read my other posts on this topic. I'm just pissed at the sporadic quality of Emerson knives. I don't think the Suspects are idiots for loving there Emersons. The whole point of my ranting is to get this company off its ass and start producing higher quality........not just for me, but for some other knife nut who many not want an ER visit when there knife just isn't up to snuff.

jc
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jc:
To clarify,

I want a Commander DESIGN, not necessarily one made by Emerson Knives.

jc</font>
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People in hell want ice water too.



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"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.
 
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